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Black Forest Cake is one of the greatest and most exotic desserts ever. The Chocolate Cake, topped with Cherries and Vanilla Fluff Icing is a favorite of one and all. An extremely sumptuous cake and people who are calorie conscious need to just forget that and eat this heavenly lip smacking dessert. A typical Black forest cake contains at least 3 to 4 layers of yum chocolate cake with oodles of whipped cream and cherries placed in between the chocolate layers further decorate with enormous whipped cream, chocolate shavings and cherries on the top.

History says that way long before the German bakers had invented a German dessert known as Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, commonly called as the Black forest cake. The German name Schwarzwälder or black forest, is a popular tourist place in Germany with dense forests and beautiful high lands. Black forest region is known for its abundant (as earlier it was a custom for newly married to plant a cherry tree) and beautiful cherry trees, which were said to be an inspiration for the black forest cake.

However, one very interesting fact of black forest cake history is that it was not in the form of a cake but instead as a dessert recipe. The history of black forest cake has many versions, but perhaps the most popular version is that confectioner Josef Keller invented the black forest cake, or as he called it, the black forest cherry in 1915 in his café Agner in Bad Godesberg . However, the known fact was that the recipe of black forest cake did not appear in print until 1930. Kirsch or Kirschwassert, the traditional black forest cakes is a clear colorless fruit brandy cake made by adding double distillation of Morellos (made of sour cherries). Now days even other kinds of liquors like rum are added and sometimes black forest cake is also made without any alcohol.
There are various versions on the history of the Black forest cake and its recipe, for example, in the early printed versions of black forest cake, sour cherries were used between layers of chocolate sponge cake, and the layers of the cake would be soaked in kirsch. In this version, only the top layer was decorated with whipped cream and shaved chocolates. While the non-traditional versions of black forest cake tend to omit the kirsch so that the cake is a little more light, as the liquor added tends to make the cake quite heavy.

This cake has multiple (usually 4) layers of chocolate sponge cake, cherries, and whipped cream. It is frosted with whipped cream and covered with chocolate shavings and a few cherries for decoration. Kirschwasser (cherry schnapps) is used to flavor the whipped cream. The bottom layers of sponge cake are also brushed with Kirschwasser (cherry schnaps) to provide moisture and a little extra flavor.

Other versions on the history of Black forest cake where theHistorians believe it originated in the late 16th century in the Black Forest Region (Der Schwarzwald in German) located in the state of Baden-Württemberg. The name, Schwarzwald, evokes darkness and mystery coming from the romantic German concept of Waldeinsamkeit or forest-loneliness. During this era, chocolate was first integrated into cakes and cookies. This region is known for its sour cherries and Kirsch or Kirschwasser (a double distilled, clear cherry brandy made from the sour Morello cherry). Combine these cherries with the German’s love of chocolate, and you have this wonderful chocolate confection with cream and cherries. It is thought that the cake is named after this brandy. In the year 1930, according to research carried out by Tübingen town archivist, Udo Rauch, evidence is also pointing to master patissier, Erwin Hildenbrand, as having invented the Black Forest gateau in the spring of 1930 at the Café Walz in Tübingen. Before this he was working in several places in the Black Forest. It was in 1949 that the cake was rated the 13th best known cake in Germany.
Black forest cake with its distinctive cherry pit flavor and alcoholic content gives the cake a special kick and uniqueness. Cherries, cream, and Kirschwasser were first combined in the form of a dessert in which cooked cherries were served with cream and Kirschwasser, while a cake combining cherries, biscuit and cream (but without Kirschwasser) probably originated in Germany. A Swedish cake called Schwarzwaldtårta is related to the traditional Black Forest cake only by name. It consists of layers of meringue with whipped cream in between. The whole cake is also covered with whipped cream and decorated with chocolate.

For preparing the most popular Black forest cake, firstly bake the chocolate cake sheets and keep aside. In a large bowl of the electric mixer, whip together the heavy cream and powdered sugar. Refrigerate until ready to use. In another bowl add water and sugar mix well and keep aside. Place one chocolate cake sheet on a flat surface and sprinkle the sugar water on the first sheet and then spread the whipped cream and top it with cherry pieces. Place the second layer on top of the first layer and repeat the same process done on the first layer. Place the third layer over the second layer and sprinkle sugar water and frost the entire cake with freshly whipped cream. Garnish the top of the cake with maraschino cherries or any cherries of your choice. Sprinkle the top with chocolate shavings. Gently press chocolate shavings onto sides of cake. Refrigerate for at least two hours prior to serving. Serve chilled.

Amazing! One of the wonderful creations that has made a great admiration in the baking industry and all we know that whipped cream, cherries and chocolate cake don’t exactly make a diet snack but is one of those innovative creations of well dense forest of chocolate and cream which describes the nature’s beauty like the chocolate comparing to the color of the earth blanketed with the fog of whipped cream and nice rosy cherries. A luscious creation and craving for the taste buds. So go on and forget counting black forest cake calories and simply indulge in the passion of eating the cake!